By Meridian Altitudes of the Sun and Altitudes taken near Noon.

By meridian altitudes observed. By meridian altitudes deduced in the
usual way from sights taken near noon.

1816. 1816.
Sextant. 8th Oct. mean of 3 A.M.} 26º. 13'. 30" circle.
17th Oct. 26º. 13'. 43" and 3 P.M. }

20th Oct. 26 . 13 . 44 20th Oct. A.M.{ 26 . 13 . 46} sext.
{ 26 . 13 . 44}

Circle.
26th Oct. 26 . 13 . 29 20th Oct. P.M.{ 26 . 13 . 58}
{ 26 . 13 . 47} sext.
{ 26 . 13 . 57}

22d mean 2 A.M.& 2 P.M. 26 . 13 . 24} circle.
26th 3 P.M. 26 . 13 . 29}

Latitude by mean of 3 meridian altitudes 26º. 13'. 39" sextant and circle.
mean of 5 altitudes near noon 26 . 13 . 50 sextant.
mean of 3 do. do. 26 . 13 . 28 circle.
——————
Mean latitude 26 . 13 . 39 north.

* * * * *

VARIATION OF THE COMPASS AT NAPAKIANG.

The declination of the magnetic meridian was ascertained with considerable precision by means of the transit azimuth instrument: the needle seldom showed the same variation, as it oscillated about ten minutes, but the mean position of the magnetic meridian was 52' 10" west of the true. A coral reef was selected for the place of these observations, in order to avoid the attraction arising from buildings, or from inequalities in the ground.

* * * * *

Variation observed on board by Walker's Azimuth Compass.

29th Sept. 1816, P.M. ship's head W. by S. variation by

1st azimuth 0º. 51'. 30" west.
2nd 0 . 53 . 30
3rd 1 . 17 . 30
Amplitude 1 . 15 . 00
30th A.M. 1st azimuth 0 . 55 . 30
2nd 0 . 34 . 15
3d Oct. A.M. ship's head E.N.E. 1st azimuth 0 . 37 . 00
2nd 0 . 48 . 00
—————-
Variation by mean of 7 azimuths and 1 amplitude 0 . 52 . 39 west.